How to stick to your New Year's resolutions

It happens every year: we eat too much, spend too much, and then decide to start the New Year fresh. Research shows that most resolutions are broken by February. If you want to make your resolutions stick this year, consider these four tips:

Make specific goals

To take control of your resolutions, carefully consider what you want to achieve by setting a goal that motivates you, then make sure your goal is clear and well defined. Having a vague goal in mind, like "I want to save more money," will likely not give you the focus and direction you need. Instead, come up with a specific and achievable goal such as, "I will build up my emergency fund by contributing part of my paycheck every month."

Take small steps

Breaking your goals down into smaller, manageable actions can help you achieve them. If you’re working on that emergency fund, it’s perfectly alright to start with a weekly or monthly contribution. Do whatever works for you and your budget. Before you know it, you’ll begin to build a nice little nest egg.

Get in the habit

Like all things, your resolutions may take a little practice. If you’re starting something new, whether it’s saving, dieting or learning a new skill, making sure to schedule time to check in with your progress is important. With some things, like saving, there may be opportunities to automate the habit (like depositing a portion of your paycheck right to your savings account.) Otherwise, setting aside time each week or month may help you see how much progress you’ve made on your goals.

Get help from friends and family

An accountability buddy might be just what you need to make sure your resolutions last. Having someone by your side can be a great way to make sure you both meet and beat your goals. If you can find (and be) a good resolutions buddy, you may both find yourself more motivated to stick to your plan.

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